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Centennial Conference Athletics

Juniata College Eagles

 

Head Coach Tim Launtz

Launtz (Juniata ’80) was named head coach at his alma mater in 2011 and registered a 1-9 mark a year ago … he has served 15 years on the Juniata staff, including the last seven as quarterbacks coach … Launtz was head coach at West Branch (Pa.) High School in 1980 and 1981 … he is the 22nd head coach in Juniata history and the sixth alumnus to guide the program.

Lettermen Returning/Lost: 37/18
Offensive System: Spread
Defensive System: 3-4

 Offensive Preview

Starters Returning (7)
QB-Ward Udinski, Soph.
RB-Quadir Christian, Sr.
RB-Zach McCaulley, Jr.
WR-De'Sean Popley, Sr.
WR-Julian Valdiserri, Sr.
OL-Zach Doyle, Jr.
OL-Derek Schultz, Soph.

The Eagles are led by sophomore QB Ward Udinski who topped the team's rushing (264) and passing (996) charts last season ... he completed 47.5 percent of his passes as a rookie with six TD tosses ... Udinski's best performance was vs. McDanil when he ran for 77 yards and threw for 168 more with two scores ... senior Julian Valdiserri was his favorite target, grabbing 35 passes including five touchdowns while classmate De'Sean Popley pulled in 19 balls for 212 yards ... junior RB Zach McCaulley rushed for 230 yards and two scores a year ago ... junior Zach Doyle and sophomore Derek Schultz are the leaders of the offensive line.

Defensive Preview

Starters Returning (8)
DL-Jared Shope, Jr.
DL-David Weiss, Jr.
LB-Chris Beall, Jr.
LB-Zach Boyd, Sr.
LB-Kevin Gorman, Jr.
LB-Noah Walstrom, Sr.
LB-Ethan Wilt, Soph.
DB-Keith Stewart, Soph.

The Eagles showed what they were capable of defensively over the last three games, allowing an average of 286.3 yards ... with the return of eight starters, Juniata could be much-improved in 2012 ... junior LB Kevin Gorman led the team with 76 tackles with four sacks and 11.5 for loss ... he has 156 stops in his first two seasons ... seniors Noah Walstrom and Zach Boyd registered 41 and 35 tackles, respectively, while junior Chris Beall had 35 stops and two sacks ... soph Ethan Wilt had a strong rookie campaign with 48 tackles ... classmate Keith Stewart is the leader in the secondary ... he had 45 tackles and picked off three passes last fall ... junior David Weiss had 4.5 sacks among his 45 tackles on the defensive front ... junior Brandon Felus had four sacks, while he and Jared Shope combined for 12 tackles for loss.

Special Teams Preview

Starters Returning (1)
P-Scott Andrews, Sr.

Senior Scott Andrews returns for a fourth season to handle the place-kicking duties ... his 18-yard field goal in the final seconds defeated Susquehanna and broke the Eagles' 19-game losing streak last season ... the punting job will be won in camp.

2012 Outlook

Juniata's recent struggles have been well-documented and it may be unreasonable to expect the Eagles to contend for a Conference title. But JC will be improved on its newly-installed turf and achieving its first .500 season since 2002 is not out of the question.

 

Goodman Field at Knox Stadium has been the home of Juniata football since 1923, when a group of alumni helped the college purchase the land east of Scott Street to expand the existing athletic field. Current Eagle football players are part of a tradition that has seen Juniata compete in the same place for 96 seasons.

The current stadium, grandstand, and press box were opened and dedicated in the fall of 1988, and named in honor of NFL coaching legend and Juniata College alumnus Chuck Knox '54. Prior to the dedication, it was known as College Field until 1962, and New College Field until 1987.

More Previews

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